Mosiah 8 All

From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.

Note: this page allows you to see all the commentary pages for Mosiah chapter 8 together. Click on the heading to go to a specific page.

Mosiah 8:1-5

The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 8

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Questions

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Verse 1

Who is the narrator here?
Why are "only a few" of Limhi's words recorded here?

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Verse 2

Why did Limhi have Ammon recount the history of the people in Zarahemla, if as it says in verse 1, he had already "told his people all the things concerning their bretheren who were in the land of Zarahemla"?

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Verse 3

What are "the last words which king Benjamin had taught them"? Does that mean the entire last speech, or just some part of those words?
How did Ammon have the words of king Benjamin? Did he just have these teachings in his mind, or did he have a copy of the speech with him?
What might have been needed by way of explanation, so that the people of Limhi "might understand all the words" of king Benjamin which Ammon was recounting?

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Verse 4

Ammon is able to read, something uncommon in most pre-modern societies. What does this tell us about his background and training?

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Lexical notes

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Exegesis

Ammon's background. As revealed here, Ammon can read, something uncommon in pre-modern societies. Earlier, we read that he was a descendant of Zarahemla. Presumably, as a royal or noble Mulekite heir, he was taught to read. In addition, his preaching to the people of Limhi the words of king Benjamin may indicate some sort of function as a priest or teacher, though he mysteriously declines to baptize Limhi's people.

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Questions

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Verse 7

Why are we told that 43 people were sent out to find the land of Zarahemla? Why give us the exact number rather than just say "a small group"?

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Verse 8

Since bones do not last long in tropical settings, what does this tell us about how long ago the people had died in these ruined cities?
Why compare the size of the lost people to "the hosts of Israel"?
What does Limhi mean by "the hosts of Israel"?

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Lexical notes

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Exegesis

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Questions

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Verse 11

Metal weapons are almost unheard of in pre-Columbian America. Does this verse indicate the presence of iron weapons?
What would the weapons have been made of that their hilts had perished but their blades "were cankered with rust"?

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Verse 12

Why would Limhi be "desirous to know the cause" of the destruction of the lost people?

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Verse 13

What do we learn about the role of a seer in this verse?
Why does a seer have to be commanded to look into the interpreters?
What might it mean to "look for that he ought not"? Are there ways that we look for what we ought not in our modern society?
Why might one perish after looking "foro that he ought not"?
Our modern prophets and apostles are sustained as seers. Does this mean that they have access to the same kind of interpreters as king Mosiah? Why don't we hear about modern seers using interpreters?

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